Three Militants Killed In Encounter In South Kashmir's Pulwama District

PTI

Yawar Nazir via Getty Images

SRINAGAR, KASHMIR, INDIA - MARCH 11: Indian Army Bomb disposal squad (BDS) in a protective bomb suit try to defuse an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) before it is neutralised on March 11, 2016 in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, India. Indian army's Bomb disposal squad (BDS) neutralised an IED fitted in a pressure cooker which was planted by unidentified militants along a Highway in Srinagar on Friday, Indian army said. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)

SRINAGAR -- Three Hizbul Mujhahideen militants were killed early today in an encounter with security forces during a search operation in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

A joint team of police and army cordoned-off Panzgam village in Pulwama district after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of militants in the area, an army official said.

As the forces were conducting a search operation, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter, the official said.

He said in the ensuing gunfight, three militants - all locals who belonged to Hizbul Mujhahdeen militant group were killed.

They were identified as Ashfaq Ahmad Dar, a resident of Dogipura, Ishfaq Ahmad Baba, a resident of Tahab and Haseeb Ahmad, a resident of Brao Bandyun, he said.

Three weapons have also been recovered from the encounter site, he added.